Destined To Fall by Tamsyn Bester Page B

voice is incredulous, like I’m
crazy.
“Yes,” I reply. “That’s exactly what this is, and as much as I’d like to believe one
night with me would mean something to you, I can’t take that chance. My
career, and my life are more important than some one night stand, even with
you.”
Kyler’s face drops slightly before I turn my back on him in the middle of the
dance floor and walk away. I head towards our table, where Quinn and Jarred
are arguing again. Drew is nowhere to be found.
“I’m going home,” I tell Quinn. I pick my purse up from the table.
“I’m coming with you,” Quinn replies.
“Quinn, wait,” Jarred pleads, bragging hold of her elbow.
“No, Jarred. This conversation is over, and until you pull your head out of your
ass, so is our ‘relationship’.”
Without another word, Quinn spins on her heel and takes hold of my hand
so I can follow her.
We leave the hotel, and slip into a cab as the events of tonight fill up the silence
between us. Neither of us say anything until I hear Quinn’s sniffles next to me.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She shakes her head and wipes the tears from her face, but does’t say anything
anything more until we’re back at our apartment.
I change into my sweats, and go in search of some good ol’ Ben & Jerry’s.
When I walk into the kitchen, I see Quinn has already beaten me to it. I sit
down next to her, and start eating the creamy, chocolatey goodness. The fact
that it’s chocolate flavor means that Quinn is very upset about something.
“I need to tell you something,” she says. Her voice is soft, but scratchy. She
must’ve been crying while I was changing out of my evening dress and cleaning my face.
I take hold of her hand, and squeeze it gently, offering my silent support. “You
can tell me anything,” I remind her.
“I’m sure you’ve noticed that Jarred and I have been fighting a lot,” she pauses,
swallowing. I nod. “Well, it’s because he asked me to move in with him, and
I’ve been avoiding it.”
My stomach drops. “Why?”
Quinn sniffles, and the tears start all over again. “Because I’m scared, and because I hate the thought of leaving you here alone.”
Diverting my gaze, I look down at where my hand holds Quinn’s. The truth is,
I don’t want Quinn to make her decision based on me, and how she thinks I’m
going to handle her leaving. I want her to be happy, and I would never dream
of standing in the way of her life with Jarred.
“Quinny,” I say, looking back into her sad eyes. “Do you want to move in with
him?”
She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and gives a small nod. “I love him,”
she says, shrugging one shoulder.
“Wow,” I sigh. “That’s huge.”
“I know. I don’t know when it happened, but I guess between all the fooling
around, and spending time with him, I fell in love.”
Her lip trembles. “Why are you so upset?” I ask.
“Because we were fighting about you.”
I frown. “About me?”
Her head bobs up and down, and she looks away. “He got angry because I said
I won’t leave you alone, and then he accused me of not wanting to be with
him.”
“You’re being silly, Quinn. If you want to move in with him, then don’t let me
stop you. I want you to be happy. I’ll just start looking for another place to live.”
If only it were that simple. I would never be able to afford a place like this on
my own. But I can’t allow Quinn’s decision to move in with the man she loves
be influenced by that.
“No,” she says, interrupting my thoughts. “I’ve already spoken to my parents,
and they are more than happy to let you stay here as long as you want.”
“I appreciate that, but I can’t accept the offer. I’ll start looking for a place of my
own on Monday.”
“Are you sure, Cass?”
No, I’m anything but sure. I’m terrified. “Yes,” I lie. “I’m sure.”
Quinn hugs me and pulls back, giving me a sad smile. “You know it will always
be the ‘Quinn and